Κυριακή, 25 Ιανουαρίου 2009

Symposium 260 of the International Astronomical Union on The rôle of Astronomy in Society and CultureJanuary 19-23, 2009, at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris (France).

THE GEARS OF ANTIKYTHERA MECHANISM: AN EDUCATIONAL PATHFINDER TO THE SOLAR SYSTEMX. Moussas, G. Bampasidis, Y. Bitsakis, J. Seiradakis, T. Tassios, A. Anastasiou, G. Fasoulopoulos, I. Kioleoglou, M. Edmunds, M. Zafeiropoulou, M. Roumeliotis, M. Wright, Reem Sabry, Hoda El Mikaty, G. Henriksson, I.-M. Munktell, D. Kriaris, E. Spandagos, F. Vafea, S. Kouphos, D. Prasopoulos, A. Karakonstantis, A. Aggioplasti, E. Delidou, N. Giannopoulos, E.-M. Gkini.http://iaus260.obspm.fr/index.php---------------------------------------------------- Antikythera Mechanism, the most sophisticated ancient astronomical instrument and analogue computer that we have in hands today. It is an analogue astronomical computer and observational instrument, constructed around 150 to 100 BC somewhere in the Greek world, almost two centuries after Alexander the Great and possibly 50 to 100 years after the death of Archimedes.The Mechanism has a great educational value, it appeals to many as an astonishing artifact of Science and Technology. The latest findings of the research concerning its operation reveal significant cultural and social function (Freeth et al., 2006; Freeth et al., 2008).This astonishing astronomical instrument, is now proposed to be used as an excellent educational tool, to involve and attract the general public and especially pupils to science, mathematics, history and philosophy.Not only Astronomy, but also Physics, Mathematics, Geometry, Geography, History, Literature, Philosophy, Archeology and Engineering can be approached, through the Mechanism showing the interdisciplinary value of this old device. The Mechanism connects directly modern Science and the technological achievements of the Antiquity, while at the same time guides children to philosophy, science, mathematics.Freeth, T. et al., 2006. Decoding the ancient Greek astronomical calculator known as the Antikythera Mechanism. Nature, 444(7119): 587-591. Freeth, T., Jones, A., Steele, J.M. and Bitsakis, Y., 2008. Calendars with Olympiad display and eclipse prediction on the Antikythera Mechanism.Nature, 454(7204): 614-617.